Mum only found out about her aspiring model son’s suicide when she heard it over policeman’s radio

Tragic David Edwards-Gill, 16, took his own life by stepping into the path of a train after telling a 999 operator: 'I just feel s***'

By Carl Stroud

13th March 2018, 10:25 am

Updated: 13th March 2018, 10:26 am

A MOTHER whose troubled son killed himself only learnt of the tragedy by overhearing a discussion about it on a police officer’s radio.

Lisa Edwards received the harrowing news as officers were making inquiries on her behalf into the disappearance of 16-year-old David Edwards-Gill.

Cavendish Press

Mum Lisa Edwards learnt of her son David's death after overhearing a discussion about it on a police radio

The teen took his own life by stepping into the path of a passenger train following a battle with mental illness.

His suicide could not have been predicted, an inquest coroner ruled.

David had been referred to healthcare professionals in 2015 after he suffered bouts of self harm and expressed a wish to take his own life.

He had a series of appointments with a suicide prevention team.

Cavendish Press

Tragic David Edwards-Gill took his own life by stepping into the path of a train following a battle with mental illness

But, on October 29, 2016, the aspiring male model went missing as he was due to attend a fancy dress Halloween party.

Soon afterwards he dialled 999, telling the operator: “I just feel s***, you know what I mean - I am going to get run over by a train”.

Moments later he was struck by a train travelling on the West Coast Mainline near Wigan, Greater Manchester.

At the Bolton hearing coroner Simon Nelson recorded a verdict of suicide and said: “It is wholly exceptional and it is rare to see parents who are so dedicated and so caring and so supportive of a child who has special needs. Nobody could have predicted this and nobody should be held accountable."

David’s mum Lisa told the hearing: “He struggled with many things such as expressing himself and communicating effectively with others.

Cavendish Press

A coroner ruled that no one could have predicted David's suicide

"He struggled to understand his feelings and had anger management issues.

“He often misread situations and saw himself as the victim without any rationale. I believe he had the mental age of a child who was 12. He took events personally. The family were actively involved in his life. Family were very important to him.''

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In May 2016 David went missing and was found wandering on the hard shoulder on the M6 motorway. He also falsely claimed on Snapchat he had sold a gun and was a member of a gang and took cannabis and cocaine. Other fantasies he had included him stabbing a girl and alleging that he was involved in various muggings.

Lisa added: ''He wasn’t a violent, drug using, gang member and I don’t want him to referred to like that. It was a fantasy.

''I believe that he did intend the consequences of his actions that evening - but he was supported by his family always and we did everything we could for him.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story please contact The Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK), or email jo@samaritans.org